Switch machine



. Nov. 2, 1926. 1 1,605,546 7 W. K. HOWE SWITCH MACHINE Filed April 14. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WTTORNEY Zeb/[ m Nov. 2 1926.

W. K. HOWE SWITCH Y MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 o 6 9 5 m RM W%I@ M L 0 m My www w m4. l M M "w "Mm 0 5 1 O 4 Am 5 u O x w NVEN? Patented Nov. 2, 1926,

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PATENT -OFFICE.

WINlI-IROP K. HOWE, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL RAILWAY SIGNAL COMPANY, OF GATES, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

' SWITCH MACHINE.

Application filed April 14, 1923.

This invention relates to power operated switch and lock movements, commonly termed switch machines, for operating the switch points of switches on railroads.

a The common type of switch machine, to

which this invention more particularly relates, comprises in general an operating bar or throw bar connected to the switch points and reciprocated by power, and one or two lock rods, also connected to the switch points, and rigidly locked at the switch machine so as to hold the switch points in their extreme positions. With the ordinary turnout switch or single slip switch, one lock rod is used; and with a movable point frog or a doubleslip switch, two lock rods are used.

In the interests of safety and for reasonsv well-recognized by those familiar with this art, it is important to make the position of the indication circuit controlling mechanism dependent upon the position of the lock rod or look rods, which, being directly connected to the switch points,correspond in,

position to the existing position of the switch points. This desirable result has been obtained heretofore in switch machines using one look rod; and the primary object of the present invention is to extend this same characteristic feature or principle to. a machine employing two lock rods, so that both look rods must be in place and must assume corresponding positions before the indication circuit controller mechanism can be changed.

Various other specific objects, characteristic features, and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 1s a. diagrammatic of schematic layout showing the principal operating parts of a switch machine embodying this invention and lllustrating it applied to a conventional double slip switch;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, with the cover removed, off one end portion of the switch machine embodying this invention;

Fig. 3 is a verticaltransverse section through the switch machine ad acent to one of the loclr rods, said section being taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. at is a similar vertical transverse section illustrating a modified arrangement applicable to movable point frogs, said section being taken on the line -t of Fig. 5;

Fig. 5 is avie rsimilar to Fig.2 showing Serial No. 632,082.

a modified arrangement of parts for operating a movable point frog; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5.

The switch machine which has been se lccted as a type to disclose the improvement of this invention is disclosed in my prior Patent No. 1,288,595, dated Dec. 2%, 1918; but it should be understood, of course, that the invention is applicable to other specific constructions of switch machines bymakmg appropriate changes in mechanical details.

Referring to the schematic layout shown in Fig. 1, the stock rails of a conventional double slip switch are designated 1 and the two pairs of movable switch points are designated 2. These pairs of switch points 2 are connected to a throw bar T by the usual lost motion connections; and these pairs of switch points are individually and separately connected to the two lock rods LR and LE For convenience and clearness these parts at the switch are drawn to a different scale than the parts of the switch machine itself, the connections being indicated by dash lines.

The switch machine is shown in a simplified and diagrammatic manner, the parts be ing broken away and separated in order to illustrate their function and mode of opera tion. The switch machine is operated by an electric motor M of any suitable type, which is shown as a series wound direct current motor having an armature 3 and a field at. The armature shaft of the motor M drives a main gear 5 journaled by a fixed stud 6 thfough suitable reduction gearing. This reduction gearing, as shown, comprises a bevel pinion 7 meshing with a bevel gear 8 which drives a shaft 9 through a friction clutch 10 (shown enclosed) a pinion 11 on said shaft 9 meshing with a gear 12 on a second shaft '13; and a pinion 14 on said second shaft meshing with the main gear 5. The main gear 5 is rotated in one direction or the other to reverse the switch points by changing the direction of rotation of the motor armature.

Fastened eccentrioally to the main gear 5 is a downwardly extending driving pin 15 which carries two freely revoluble rollers 16 and 17 at its lower end. This driving pin 15 is moved by the main gear 5 in a circular pathindicated by the dot and dash line 18,

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The upper roller 16 cooperates with .the edges of a laterally opening jaw or cam in the throw rod T, and acts to reciprocate said throw rod as the main gear is rotated first in one direction and then in the other. EX- tending lengthwise of the switch machine a locking plunger LP which is guided at one end by a block 20 and at other points in its length by suitable lugs (not shown). This locking plunger LP is provided with an enlarged head 21 in which is formed a cam slot 22 of a general elliptical shape, the lower roller 17 being disposed to cooperate with the edges of this cam slot and reciprocate said locking plunger as the main gear 5 is rotated.

The locking plunger LP carries a lock dog 23 arranged to engage behind shoulders 24- and 242 on the throw bar T, so that this throw bar is locked in its extreme positions. Also rigidly attached to the locking plunger LP are two other lock dogs 25 and 26 arranged to enter normal and reverse notches (not shown) in the lock rods LR- and LE respectively. The two lock rods LR and LE are 621th made up of two bars which in practice are adjustable longitudinally relatively to each other by suitable means not shown), and have short and long notches therein, and all as shown and explained in my prior patent above mentioned. For the purposes of th s invention, it should be understood that the locking plunger LP moves the lock dogs 25 and 26 into normal and reverse notches in the two lock rods LR and LE The circuit controller for governing the operation of the switch machine and for controlling the indication of circuits comprises in general two units or groups of circuit controlling devices and Operating means therefor, these two units being designated as a whole 0 and P, one being used for controlling the operating and indication circuits (hereinafter termed the operating circuit controller), and the other for controlling the circuits of the pole changer coils (hereinafter termed the pole changer coil controls, ler). Each of these units O and P comprise a plurality of fixed, contact springs or flugers 27, arranged in rows along opposite sides of the machine and carried by suitable fixed bars of insulating material. Two separately movable block or contact carriers 28 and 29 are supported tobe shifted back and forth from one side of the machine to they other. Each of these contact carriers consists of a panel of suitable insulating material to which are fastened contact strips as 80, arranged to bridge pairs of the stationary contact fingers 27. The contact carrier 28 of the operating circuit controller 0 is supported bythe cores 31 of thenormaland reverse pairs of pole changer coils 52 and and this contact carrier 28 is shifted back and forth by an arm 84 loosely mountea'ta .a vertical shaft 35- and having a jaw straddling a pin 36 rigidly fastened to said contact carrier. Thus, it will be understood that this contact carrier 28 may be shifted back and forth by the electrical energization of the pole changer coils 32 and or may be shifted mechanically by a contact shifter designated as a whole CS. The contact carrier 29 of the pole changer coil controller P is operatively connected to the contact shifter CS by a pin 37 and a jaw 38 integral with said contact shifter.

The contact shifter CS is an irregular shaped piece, but comprises in general a bottom plate 39, carrying normal and reverse rollers 40 and s0 and a beveled centering tip or piece 41; a top portion 42; and two upright side bars 43i3 The centering tip 41 cooperates with two parallel guide strips 4A fastened to the locking plunger LP and having their ends beveled in such a way, as shown, that when said locking plunger is moved to its unlocked position, (to the right as shown). these guide strips a l cooperate with the beveled tip 41 to move contact shifter CS to a middle position and hold it there so long as the locking plunger is in its unlocked position. )Vhen the contact shifter CS is moved to its middle position, as described, contact carrier 29 is likewise moved to the middle position, bridging the pairs of contact fingers 27 on both sides; but on account of the space between the arm 8% and the side bars 48%3 the contact carrier 28 is not moved at this time. If, however, the contact shifter CS is moved to one or the other of its extreme posit-ions, both of the contact carriers 28 and 29 are shifted to a corresponding extreme position.

The combination and organization of parts for shifting the contact shifter CS to its extreme positions more directly concerns the present invention. Generally speaking. this mechanism about to be described is intended to cause movement of the contact shifter CS to one or the other of its extreme positions, upon final locking movement of the locking plunger LP, only provided both of thelock rods LR and LE are in the same corresponding position. The thrust directly operating the contact shifter CS is produced by the lock dog 25 engaging normal and reverse sel-ecting plungers 45 and i6 slidabl mounted in and carried by brackets 47 and 48 fastened to the first lock rod LR. These brackets 47 and 48 are fastened by cap screws to the two opposite bars of the lock rod LR, so that as these bars are shifted to compensate for the throw of the switch points. the brackets 47 and 48 will be correspondingly moved together or apart. The additional holes in the'brackets 47 and %8 are to cable either bracket .to be fastened to either of the two bars of the lock roththereby facil tating attachment of the switch machines to switch inc lit)

points located on either side of the machine. Each of the selecting plung-ers and s6 carries an adjustable striking head, screw threaded and fastened by a jam nut as shown.

Extending crosswise of the switch machine above the locking plunger LP is a connecting link which is pivotally connected at its ends by screw bolts 51 to parallel levers 52 which are pivotally mounted near their middle points on the studs fastened to the base plate or bed of the machine. On one of the screw bolts 51, (see Figs. 1 and 2) is pivotally mounted one end of a swinging member or arm 54, conveniently termed the con pler arm. This coupler arm 54; carries at one end a raised lug or projection 55 adapted to be interposed between one of the normal and reverse rollers lO-l0 and one of the selected plunger-s 45-46, if these respective parts are in the proper position. As shown, this car or lug 55 is between the selecting plunger 45 and the normal roller 40.

in the construction shown, a coiled torsion spring 56 is arranged as shown, with its ends hooked around the link 50 and the coupler arm 541E, so as to tend to move this coupler arm to the right as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2 against a projecting stop 57 integral with said link. This spring 56, however, is not essential to the operation of the mecha r sni of this invention, and under certain circiunstances is omitted.

Two cam m embers 58, shaped as best shown in Fi 2, are rigidly attached or form 'a part or' the base or main casting of the machine; and these am members cooperate with curved ridges or ribs 59 integral with the coupler arm 54, so as to swing this coupler a .n to the right to a neutral position clear oi? the rollers all- 10 as the link 50 rociprocated. Also, these cam members 58 serve to torce the selecting plungers 45 and back to the right as shown to the retracted position, in case these plungers, which are retracted in the normal operation oi the machine as described hereinafter, should be accidentally displaced.

The other ends of the levers 52 are pivotally connected to a cross slide 60 which has near its middle an integral upstanding stop 6i reinforced by beveled ribs as shown. Fastened separately to the two bars of the second look rod LE are normal and reverse strike plates 62 and 63, each of which has a downturned projection 62 or 63 (see Fig.

(3) arranged to engage the stop 61. on the cross slide 60.

The particular organization of parts just described is designed "for application to a double slip switch in which both pairs of switch points, and. consequently both look rods LR and LE move in the same direction. In the case of a movable point frog, however, the two lock rods LR and LR move in opposite directions; and for this rap plication, a slightly different arrangement of parts, still embodying the same principles is used, as shown in Figs. and 5. This modified arrangement is the same as that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 already described, except that two coupler arms (it-64 are used instead of a single coupler arm 54. These coupler arms ti l-43 B are pivotally supported on the screw bolts 51 at the opposite ends of the link 50, and are shorter. In other respects, these coupler arms Gi -64F have the same characteristic features of construction as previously explained.

Operation-The operation of the switch machine is explained at length in my prior patent above mentioned, and many 01 the detail features and characteristics of the operation being immaterial to the present invention, will not be discussed here. When current is applied to the operating motor N, the main gear 5 is turned by said motor through the reduction gearing in one direction (clockwise with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1) and as the driving pin 15 is moved in its circular path 18, the lower roller 17 engages one edge of the cam slot 22 and shifts the locking plunger LP to the right as shown to its unlocked position, moving the lock dog 23 out of engagement with the shoulders of the throw bar T and the lockdogs 2:" and 26 out.ot the notches in the lock rods LR and LR During this movement of the locking plunger LP, the guide strips *li force the contact shifter C5 to the middle position. This places the contact carrier 29 to the middle position, bridging both sets of contact fingers associated therewith and permitting the establishing of a circuit through either the non or reverse pole changer coils 32 or 33, thereby pern'iitting the switch machine to be reversed in mid-stroke it desired, in the man ner characteristic oi this type of switch machine, and as fully explained in my prior patent. The movement of the contact shifter CS to the middle position forces back the selecting plunger a5 and drives the coupler arm 54- (Fig. 2) or 64 (Fig. to the neutral position clear of: the rollers 40 and 40.

A' ter unlocking oi the machine, as the driving pin. 15 continues its movement, the upper roller 16 thereon engages the jaw 19 in the throw bar T and shifts said throw bar to the other extreme position, This shifts the switch points and also the lock rods LR and LE connected thereto. The lower roller 17 now engages the other end of the cam slot 22 in the locking plunger Ll and returns the locking plunger to its locked position. Assuming the parts, all

proper y connected and operating in the manner intended, this final locking move n'ient of the locking plunger LP causes movement of the operating circuit controller 9 and'also the Contact carrier 29 of the pole changer controller P to the opposite eX- treme position from that shown, in the man ner about to be described, thereby interrupt ng the operating circuit then in use, and establishing an indication circuit for the then existing position of the switch points.

Obviously, it is very important that the contact carrier 28 of the operating circuit controller 0, the position of which controls the indication circuits, should not be moved to an extreme position unless everything is proper for such movement, that is, the lockiug plunger has returned to its locking position, and both of the lock rods have moved to a corresponding extreme position.

Considering first the application of the invention to the double slip switch, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and assun'iing everything connected and operating properly, when the switch points are reversed from the position shown, the two lock rods LR and LE are shifted to the other or reverse position (downward as shown by the arrows as viewed in Fig. 2). The movement of the lock rod LR brings the reverse selecting plunger 4.6 opposite the reverse operating roller 10 The movement of the lock rod LE carrying with it the strike plate 63 which engages stop 61, shifts across slide 60 and link 50 and brings the ear or projection 55 of the coupler arm 5& opposite the reverse roller 40 between that roller and the reverse selecting plunger 46. In short, the head 55 of the coupler arm 54:

r and the reverse selecting plunger 46 are lined up opposite the reverse roller 40 much the same as they are shown in line opposite the normal roller 40 in Figs. 1 and 2. With these parts thus alined, when the locking plunger LP is returned to its locking post tion, the lock dog thereon projects the selecting plunger 4:6, which in turn drives the head 55 on the coupler arm 54, which in turn drives the reverse roller thereby forcing the contact shifter CS to the opposite extreme position from that shown.

Suppose now, that, for some reason, the second lock rod LE is disconnected from its pair of switch points, or that this pair of switch points for some reason does not move. Obviously, the contact shifter should not be operated under these conditions and close the indication circuits, since the parts are not operating properly. Under the conditions just assumed, if the lock rod LE does not move, the link 50 and the coupler 54 are not changed from the position shown. Consequently, even though the selecting plunger etfi is brought opposite the roller 40 and although the locking plunger LP may resume its locked position, the contact shifter CS is not moved, because there is no intervening coupler member 55 between the plunger 46 ad the roller 4:0 It is to be understood of course that theposition'and,

proportioning of the parts is such that the presence of the projection 55, between the plunger lb and roller 40 is necessary in order to move the contact shifter CS. Similarly, of the lock rod LE is for any reason out of the machine, the contact shifter CS is not operated. It will be evident that it is necessary for the first lock rod LE to be in position and to move as the switch machine operates in order to move the contact shifter CS to an extreme posi tion, since the selecting plungers 4:5 and 46 carried by this look rod are essential to the movement of this contact shifter.

The operation and the protection afforded in the case of a movable point frog, as shown in Figs; 4, 5 and 6, is substantially the same as that for a double slip switch. If the sec ond lock rod LE is not in position or fails to move, the coupler arm G l is not shifted, and hence there is nothing to produce movementof roller 4L0 by the selecting plunger 46. After a little consideration, it will be readily appreciated that the same inherent principles and mode of operation characterize these two adaptations shown in Figs. 2 and 5 for a double slip switch and a movable point frog, the only differences being those necessitated by the fact that the two lock rods move in the same direction for a double slip switch but in opposite directions for a movable point frog.

The stationary cam members 58 cooperate with the selecting plungers 45 and 46- and also with the coupler arms 54 and 64C to assure that these parts can not under any circumstances act upon the rollers elO- l0 and cause a premature or improper operation of the contact shifter CS. It will also be ob served that the several parts cooperating to cause operation of the contact shifter CS must be in place and operating properly in order to produce such operation and closure of the indication circuits. Consequently, this operating mechanism conforms with the principle of failure on the side of safety, since any breakage, removal, or inadvertent displacement of the parts results in a failure to receive an indication, rather than a false indication.

While there has been shown and described one specific embodiment of the invention, as it has been devised for use as a part of one particular type of electrically operated switch machine, it will be evident that this construction and arrangement of parts is susceptible of considerable adaptation and modification without departing from the invention; and I desire to have it understood that my invention is not limited to the specific disclosure herein, but may be em bodied in many other quite difierent con structions and arrangements of parts.

What I claim is 1. Ina power operated switch machine of Eli the type employing two separate lock rods, a locking plunger for engaging and locking both of said rods, and indication circuit controlling means operated by final locking movement of said plunger, the combination with said lock rods and circuit controlling means, of means rendering the position to which the circuit controlling means may be shifted by the locking plunger dependent upon both of the lock rods being in a corresponding extreme position.

2. In a power operated switch machine of the type employing two separate lock rods and a locking plunger for engaging both of said rods, the combination with a shittable circuit controlling element, of means operated by the final locking movement of said plunger and having its operation dependent upon the position of both of said lock rods for actuating said circuit controlling element to its extreme positions.

3. In a switch machine of the general type described, comprising two lock rode, a locking plunger, and a shiftable circuit controlling element; normal and reverse plungers carried by one of the lock rods; means shifted by the other lock rod into alinement with the corresponding plunger; and a lock dog fastened to the locking plunger and engaging said normal or reverse plungers and acting by such engagement to shift the circuit controlling element to an extreme position provided said other lock rod is in a corresponding extreme position.

4. In a power operated switch machine of the type in which two lock rods are employed, the combination with a shiftable circuit controlling element, of operating means for said element comprising independently movable parts separately connected to said lock rods, said parts being movable into alinement to cause said element to assume a corresponding extreme position. i

5. A power operated switch machine comprising, a movable circuit controller, a locking plunger, two lock rods, independently movable parts separately coupled to said look rods and shifted into alinement only if said lock rods are both in the corresponding position, and means for operating said circuitcontroller upon final locking movement of the locking plunger provided 'said parts coupled to the lock rods are in alinement.

6. In a switch machine of the character described, the combination with two lock rods and a locking plunger, parts separately coupled to said lock rods and movable thereby to corresponding normal or reverse positions, and circuit controlling means operated by said locking plunger through said parts and having its operation dependent upon the correspondence in position of said parts. 1

7. In a power operated switch machine having two lock rods, spaced normal and reverse operating plungers carried by one lock rod, a spacing member movably coupled to the other lock rod and moved into a position to cooperate with said normal and reverse plunger-s only provided said other lock rod is in a corresponding position.

8. A switch machine of the character described having an indication circuit controller whose operation is dependent upon the transmission of power thereto through the alinement of independently movable parts coupled to the two lock rods.

9. A switch machine comprising, two sepa rate lock rods, a locking plunger for engaging both of said rods and circuit controlling means having its operation dependent upon the movement of said locking plunger and the relative positions of said lock rods.

10. In a switch machine, two lock rods, a locking plunger movable to a locked position only if said lock rods are in an extreme position, and circuit controlling means operated by the locking movement of said locking plunger only provided both of the lock rods are in a corresponding extreme position.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

VVINTHROP K. HOWE. 

